Lamp assembly

ABSTRACT

A submersible lamp assembly having a housing with a bulb and bulb socket positioned therein in optical alignment with a lens. The housing is formed with an open air chamber extending beneath the bulb and bulb socket to define a volume of air such that upon submersion of the housing in a liquid, the predetermined volume of air is compressed to create a force sufficient to prevent the liquid from rising into contact with the bulb or bulb socket.

[ Dec. 31, 1974 United States Patent 1191 Moore 1 LAMP ASSEMBLY 3,226,537 12/1965 Hanson et [76] Inventor: Dennis G. Moot e, 1312 Kathy CL,

Lwermore, callf- 94550 3,626,173 12/1971 Harvey............. [22 Filed: 20 3 3,719,820 3/1973 Yarmark........................

[21] AppL N0.: 333,801

Primary ExaminerSamue1 S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Kenneth C. Hutchison 8 mm m ae mf t T a C m A .w n m w w MP 8 A %m PC me as 1% mb H m m Ab D%1 Q/Z 1 1 3 51 0 5/ /025 0 59 44B 1., 2 .A

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[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PAT ENTS bulb socket to define a volume of air such that upon 1,362,693 12/1920 Grady....... 2,107,648 2/1938 Putterman 2,825,799 3/1958 Ju1ien........ 3,046,388 7/1962 Shinn........ 3,106,349 10/1963 Bloodgood 3,115,308 12/1963 Stark.........

et r. c mma C wm d 0 m 60 tt w.m .m u M m 8 U r. qdm he 2. SO n 3 f. r w .mnhm m gmue D n .w k clc 7 wnmw A hhflm a u .1 6b a f I. mo f C :1 m0 omp nmmu .wo SVHE a eh m bmwufw. wmww M47 g agvu h PATENIEDDELBI m4 SHEET 3 BF 6 lllh PATENIED BEDS 1 I974 SHEET UF 6 LAMP ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION More specifically, this invention relates to a waterproof lamp assembly having an open end which upon submersion of the lamp assembly in liquid forms an air chamber preventing liquid from contacting an electric lamp positioned therein.

Submersible electric lamp assemblies are most commonly utilized on boat trailers. The trailer carrying the boat is maneuvered into the water until it has submerged deep enough to allow the boat to be launched from the trailer cradle. As is well known, due to various state and municipal vehicle codes, these boat trailers are required to be equipped with signal lamps which function as taillights, stoplights, and/or turn signals. These lamp assemblies are submerged in water during launching and, therefore, subjected to elements not normally encountered by signal lamps used in other types of vehicles.

This repetitive submersion of the lamp assembly in water, especially salt water, has heretofore caused corrosion of the bulb or bulb socket due to moisture which becomes entrapped inside the housing. If the electric lamp or bulb directly contacts the water, this contact frequently causes the bulb or lamp to shatter due to the temperature difference between the hot bulb and the cooler water.

Various attempts have been made to provide a satisfactory signal lamp assembly for use on boat trailers. However, when moisture becomes entrapped within the housing assembly of sealed units, this moisture quickly causes corrosion or rust of the bulb or bulb socket destroying the lamp. However, various attempts have still been made to create a watertight or sealed lamp assembly to solve this corrosion problem. A typical attempt to solve this problem is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,707,747 and 3,746,388 wherein a sealed lamp assembly is provided by means of carefully threaded lenses and housing formed with grooves in which are positioned rubber 0 rings to form a seal. While such attempts have been somewhat satisfactory, the 0 rings after a period of time oxidize, drying out and losing their resiliency. Upon removal of the lens from the housing to replace a burned out bulb, the seal is broken and does not reseal in a satisfactory manner. Therefore, it has been found that after a period of time these lamps allow a certain amount of water inside the chamber where the water is trapped, causing corrosion of the bulb or bulb socket.

In an attempt to overcome the problems associated with sealed lamp assemblies, open signal lamps have been utilized. These lamps have a number of holes formed in or drilled through the housing so that water may freely enter the entire lamp chamber during submersion and freely drain therefrom after the trailer is removed from the water. While this solution solves the problem of corrosion of the bulb or bulb socket caused by water trapped inside the housing, it has been frequently found that the temperature differential between the water and a hot bulb results in the bulb shattering upon submersion in the water. Therefore, it is necessary to carry a substantial number of replacement bulbs for this eventually or to remove the bulbs from the lamp prior to launching.

The present invention prevents water from rising into contact with the bulb and bulb socket during submersion, thereby preventing shattering of the bulb due to contact with the water, but is also open to the atmosphere preventing water from becoming entrapped within the lamp chamber to cause corrosion of the bulb or bulb socket.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of this invention to improve lamp assemblies.

Another object of this invention is to improve submersible lamp assemblies.

A further object of this invention is to prevent corrosion of the bulb and bulb socket of submersible lamp assemblies.

Still another object of this invention is to prevent shattering of the bulb in a submersible lamp assembly by preventing the bulb from contacting the liquid in which it is submerged.

These and other objects are attained in accordance with the present invention wherein there is provided a submersible lamp assembly having a housing with a bulb and bulb socket positioned therein in optical alignment with a lense. The housing is formed with an open air chamber extending beneath the bulb and bulb socket to define a volume of air such that upon submersion of the housing in a liquid, the predetermined volume of air is compressed to create a force sufficient to prevent the liquid from rising into contact with the bulb or bulb socket.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects of this invention, together with additional features contributing thereto and advantages accruing therefrom, will be apparent from the following description of several embodiments of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a frontal perspective view of the lamp assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of this invention and having portions removed to illustrate the bulb or bulb socket assembly positioned within the lamp housing;

FIG. 2 is a frontal perspective view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 1 without portions removed to better illustrate the depending skirt for defining a predetermined volume of air and transparent portions for illumination purposes;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 2 taken along lines 3-3;

FIG. 4 is a rear elevational view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a frontal perspective view of the bulb, bulb socket and dust shield utilized in the lamp assemblies;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged sectional view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 4 taken along lines 66 to better illustrate the structure for mounting the bulb and bulb socket within the lamp housing;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the lamp assembly of FIG. 4 taken along lines 7-7 to better illustrate the structure for holding the bulb and bulb socket within the lamp assembly;

FIG. 8 is a frontal perspective view of another embodiment of the invention having a tapered depending portion to define the predetermined air volume;

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 8 taken along lines 9-9;

FIG. 10 is an exploded frontal perspective of a further modified version of the lamp assembly;

FIG. 11 is a front elevation view of another embodiment of the lamp assembly having a plurality of tubes depending from the lamp housing to define the predetermined volume of air;

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the lamp shown in FIG. 11 taken along lines 12-12;

FIG. 13 is another embodiment of the invention wherein a pair of tube-like extensions depend from a common chamber attached to the lamp housing to define the predetermined volume of air;

FIG. 14 is a side elevation of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a frontal perspective view of another embodiment of the lamp assembly wherein the lamp housing is extended to form a depending skirt to define a predetermined air volume;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of the lamp assembly shown in FIG. 15 taken along lines l616; and

FIG. 17 is a frontal perspective view of a further embodiment of the lamp assembly wherein various colored lenses are utilized to comply with state and municipal vehicle codes.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. l-7, there is shown a lamp assembly 100 including a housing 10 having a depending skirt or air chamber portion 11 which functions in a manner to be hereinafter described in detail. The skirt or air chamber 11, as well as the entire housing 10, are formed of a high impact opaque plastic. However, a portion of the skirt 11 may be removed and a transparent window portion 12 secured therein to permit light to pass through the lower most sides of the air chamber defining portion 11. The bottom of the air chamber defining portion ll has an opening 13 which opens the inside of the housing 10 to the normal atmosphere. A portion of the rear bottom edge of the air chamber defining portion is flared (14) forming a camming surface to facilitate the insertion of the electric lamp assembly 50 to be hereinafter described indetail.

The housing 10 carries a lens 5 which is of standard design such as that disclosed in US. Pat. No. 2,676,518. The lens 5 is snapped into an opening 5a in the housing, and a solvent injected into a channel formed between the lens 5 and the lens opening such that capillary action will spread the solvent thereby fusing the two pieces one into the other.

As best shown in FIGS. 4, 6, and 7 the rear of the housing 10 opposite the lens 5 is formed with a groove 15 for receiving a portion of the electric lamp assembly 50. Two lock grooves 16 are formed in this portion of the housing to securely retain the electric lamp assembly 50, upon which the illuminating bulb 51 is carried, within the housing 10.

The electric lamp assembly 50 is coupled to the electric system of the vehicle by means of lead wires 19 attached to the bulb socket 52 and properly grounded. Grounding of the electric lamp assembly is obtained through one of the pair of mounting bolts 18 which pass through the rear portion of the housing 10 and are utilized to mount the lamp assembly on a trailer. The electric lamp assembly 50, best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 includes a bulb 51 carried by a bulb socket 52 and positioned in optical alignment with the lens 5. The bulb and bulb socket are carried by a bulb support bracket 53 which forms a portion of the grounding circuit to the bulb through the mounting bolts 18. Bulb support bracket 53 is carried within the housing 10 to position bulb 51 in optical alignment with the lens 5 by means of a bulb slide 55 which is insertable into and removable from the housing 10. The bulb slide is insertable through the opening 13 in the bottom of the lamp housing and is securely positioned within the housing 10 by means of the bulb slide groove or channel 15 formed in the rearward wall of the lamp housing to receive the slide 55. A pair of tabs 56 formed on the slide engage the flared bottom camming surfaces 14 of the housing such that the tabs 56 are cammed upwardly and into the lock grooves 16 formed in the housing 10. The engagement of the tabs 56 into the locks 16 secures the electric lamp assembly in its proper position within the housing until such time as the lower most end of the bulb slide 55a is flexed outwardly from the groove 15 to release the slide tabs 56 from their position in the locks 16 thereby enabling the electric lamp assembly to be withdrawn from the housing. In this manner the bulb may be replaced in the event the filaments burn out without requiring any tools to remove the bulb or open the housing.

As best shown in FIGS. 1, 5, and 7 the bulb slide 55 is formed with brackets 57 to support a dust window or splash guard 59. The dust window or splash guard 59 is made of a transparent material such that the illumination from the bulb 51 may pass downwardly through the bottom portion of the housing 10 or through the transparent windows 12. This guard functions to prevent dust'from entering through the bottom of the chamber, or opening 13, and prevents splashing of water into contact with the bulb during launching in heavy water conditions. A further function of the window 59 is to prevent road dirt and water from vehicle wheels from entering the inner portion of the housing during transportation of the trailer. Since the dust window or splash guard is transparent, light will pass out the bottom portion and through the transparent windows 12 formed in the air chamber portion 11. In this manner, the light may be utilized to illuminate the license plate of a trailer as well as performing a taillight brakelight function. A pair of ribs 58 extend upwardly on the slide 55 above the dust window 59 and function to structurally strengthen the the slide and to provide a guide for the mounting of the bracket 53.

Referring now to the other embodiments disclosed herein, it is to be understood that like reference numerals indicate like parts. In FIGS. 8 and 9 there is a modified embodiment wherein the depending skirt or air chamber 11a is flared outwardly from the housing 10a and the electric lamp assembly 50a is mounted on a dust shield carrying slide. In this embodiment, the electric lamp assembly 50a is of the type usually referred to as a pop-in and commonly found in automobile signal lamps. The bracket 53a supporting the bulb 51 and bulb socket 52 is connected to the mounting bolt 18 forming a portion of the grounding circuit for the bulb and supporting the pop-in assembly in optical alignment with the lens 5. As shown, the bulb and bulb socket are insertable into the bracket 53a from the bottom of the housing a through the opening 13.

The embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIG. 10, discloses a further modification of the invention. In this embodiment, the depending skirt or air chamber is formed as two pieces 11 and 11b and the rear portion of the housing 10b has a pair of guides a secured thereto which perform the function as the groove 15 for the bulb slide 55. Similarly, the locks for the slide tabs 56 are formed as inward extensions 16a which provide a camming surface 14a for the lower portion 55a of the bulb slide. The depending skirt or air chamber 11, 11a is flared outwardly from the substantially cylindrical housing 10!). The windows 12a of transparent material are formed as inserts into the housing 10b and perform the same illuminating function as heretofor described.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the housing 10c is a conventional parabolic lamp chamber with a lens 5 secured thereto. The air chamber lld is formed as three tubes with the center tube carrying the electric lamp assembly 500, a popin receptical, such that the bulb 50 may be inserted through the bottom of the air chamber or opening 13a. The electric lamp assembly 50a is the same as that described with the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The bulb is appropriately grounded and the lamp assembly supported from a trailer by means of the mounting bracket 18a.

In FIGS. 13 and 14, there is shown a further embodiment of the invention wherein the housing 10d is a conventional cylindrical lamp chamber with a lens 5 secured thereto. The air chamber lle is formed as a pair of tubes extending from a common neck carried beneath the cylindrical lamp chamber. An electric lamp assembly of the type described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9 (50a) is carried in optical alignment with the lens 5 within the housing 10d and inserted through either of the openings 1312. A bracket 18b supports the lamp assembly from a trailer, and forms a portion of the grounding circuit for the lamp assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, there is illustrated another embodiment of the invention wherein the housing l0e includes substantially parallel downwardly extending sides forming the air chamber 11f. A lens 5 forms a part of the housing and the electric lamp assembly 50a is the same as that described with reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment the grounding circuit to the electric lamp assembly is completed through the mounting bolt 18.

A further embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 17 wherein substantially parallel extending sides of the housing 10f form the air chamber portion 11g. Two of the extending sides carry a lens 5a and beneath the lenses, have formed thereon reflectors or reflective surfaces 5b.

The electric lamp assembly 50, guides, and lock elements are the same as that described with reference to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10. The combination of lenses (5a) and reflective surfaces 5b are colored to comply with various state and municipal vehicle codes so that this housing may be mounted in the corner of a trailer to function as a combination tail-stop lamp, clearance light, and/or sidemarker light.

The principle operation which is utilized in each of the embodiments heretofore described is that the housing and air chamber portion define a predetermined volume of air such that upon submersion of the lamp in a liquid, the air is compressed creating a force sufficient to prevent water from rising within the lamp to the level of the bulb and bulb socket. As has been described, the lens is sealed into the housing and the bottom portion of the housing is open.

Referring to the embodiment of FIGS. 11 and 12, it has been found through experiment action that the volume of air within the lamp (approximately 4 cubic inches) is decreased by approximately 6 percent when the lamp is submerged in two feet of water. This differential in air volume has been found through calculation and experimentation that the volume of air within the lamp (approximately 32 cubic inches) is decreased by approximately 5 percent when the lamp is submerged in two feet of water. This differential in air volume has been found to increase to approximately 9 percent if the lamp has an initial temperature of 120 F and the water temperature is F when the lamp is submerged this same distance. The volume of air was found to be compressed to only approximately 27.5 cubic inches when the lamp was submerged in 6 feet of water, a depth which greatly exceeds normal boat trailer launching operation.

With the embodiment of the invention described in FIGS. l-7, which is approximately 7 inches high, 5 /2 inches wide, and 2 inches deep with a skirt area of approximately 4 inches by l /2 inches, it was found that when the lamp is submerged in 2 /2 feet of water, the water will rise within the lamp approximately onefourth inch.

From these examples, it is shown that the housing and open air chamber of the lamp define a predetermined quantity of air such that upon submersion of the lamp in water, the predetermined volume of air defined by the housing and air chamber is ofa volume such that the compression of the air upon submersion creates a force sufficient to prevent the water from rising within the housing into contact with the bulb or bulb socket. Therefore, since the water cannot contact the bulb, the problems heretofore encountered of the bulb shattering upon contact with the water are eliminated. Furthermore, since the bottom of the air chamber is open to the atmosphere, the open air chamber allows air to freely circulate within the housing and prevents corrosion. The water that rises within the air chamber drains freely and iliminates the problems of corrosion of the bulb or bulb socket caused by water trapped inside the housing.

While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that this invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A submersible electric lamp comprising housing means defining an enclosure for an electric lamp assembly, lens means forming a portion of said housing means, an electric lamp assembly adapted for connection to a source of illuminating energy and carried within said housing means in optical alignment with said lens means, said electric lamp assembly including a bulb socket for receiving the base of a bulb thereby electrically coupling said bulb to a source of illuminating energy,

said housing means having an open air chamber portion extending beneath said electric lamp assembly and terminating in an open end thereof,

bulb slide means positionable within said housing means through said open air chamber portion and carrying said electric lamp assembly at one end thereof for positioning said electric lamp assembly in optical alignment with said lens means,

said open air chamber having a retaining portion extending from adjacent the open end thereof to receive said bulb slide means, said bulb slide means extending adjacent said retaining portion of said open air chamber in operative engagement therewith such that at an end thereof spaced from said electric lamp assembly is positioned adjacent the open end of said chamber, and

said air chamber portion defining a predetermined volume of air such that upon submersion of said housing means in liquid said predetermined volume of air will be compressed creating a force sufficient to prevent liquid from rising within said lamp to the level of said electric lamp assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing means is formed with a groove for receiving said bulb slide means to position said electric lamp assembly in optical alignment with said lens means.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bulb slide means includes tab means for securing said slide bulb means within said housing means.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said housing means further includes lock grooves formed therein for receiving said tab means.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein open end portion of said housing means includes camming surfaces extending to a point adjacent to said lock grooves.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein open end of said housing means includes camming surfaces to aid in the insertion of said bulb slide means.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said camming surfaces comprise inward extensions carried by said housing means to guide said bulb slide means into optical alignment with said lens means and to secure said bulb slide means therein.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for mounting said housing means to an object.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein'said mounting means forms a portion of an electric circuit for connecting the electric lamp assembly to a source of illuminating energy.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing means includes a transparent portion for directing illumination downwardly in a path of illumination diver gent from the optical alignment of said electric lamp assembly with said lens means.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bulb slide means carries guard means for preventing splashing liquid or dust particles from contacting said electric lamp assembly.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said guard means comprises a transparent material for passing light therethrough.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inside of said housing means carries inwardly extending guide portions for receiving said bulb slide means to position said electric lamp assembly in optical alignment with said lens means.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bulb socket is carried by a bracket secured to said bulb slide means.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said bulb slide means includes guide means for positioning said bracket means thereon.

16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air chamber portion is formed as an extension of said housing flared outwardly such that the bottom thereof extends outwardly at least as far as the width of said housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said open air chamber portion extending beneath said electric lamp assembly is formed as a plurality of tubes extending downardly from said housing means.

18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said open air chamber portion extending beneath said electric lamp assembly is formed as a pair of tubes extending dependently from a common chamber depending beneath said housing means.

19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing means defining an enclosure for an electric lamp assembly includes transparent side portions for emitting light therethrough.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said side portions further include reflector means carried thereby. 

1. A submersible electric lamp comprising housing means defining an enclosure for an electric lamp assembly, lens means forming a portion of said housing means, an electric lamp assembly adapted for connection to a source of illuminating energy and carried within said housing means in optical alignment with said lens means, said electric lamp assembly including a bulb socket for receiving the base of a bulb thereby electrically coupling said bulb to a source of illuminating energy, said housing means having an open air chamber portion extending beneath said electric lamp assembly and terminating in an open end thereof, bulb slide means positionable within said housing means through said open air chamber portion and carrying said electric lamp assembly at one end thereof for positioning said electric lamp assembly in optical alignment with said lens means, said open air chamber having a retaining portion extending from adjacent the open end thereof to receive said bulb slide means, said bulb slide means extending adjacent said retaining portion of said open air chamber in operative engagement therewith such that at an end thereof spaced from said electric lamp assembly is positioned adjacent the open end of said chamber, and said air chamber portion defining a predetermined volume of air such that upon submersion of said housing means in liquid said predetermined volume of air will be compressed creating a force sufficient to prevent liquid from rising within said lamp to the level of said electric lamp assembly.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing means is formed with a groove for receiving said bulb slide means to position said electric lamp assembly in optical alignment with said lens means.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bulb slide means includes tab means for securing said slide bulb means within said housing means.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said housing means further includes lock grooves formed therein for receiving said tab means.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein open end portion of said housing means includes camming surfaces extending to a point adjacent to said lock grooves.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein open end of said housing means includes camming surfaces to aid in the insertion of said bulb slide means.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said camming surfaces comprise inward extensions carried by said housing means to guide said bulb slide means into optical alignment with said lens means and to secure said bulb slide means therein.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 furTher including means for mounting said housing means to an object.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said mounting means forms a portion of an electric circuit for connecting the electric lamp assembly to a source of illuminating energy.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing means includes a transparent portion for directing illumination downwardly in a path of illumination divergent from the optical alignment of said electric lamp assembly with said lens means.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bulb slide means carries guard means for preventing splashing liquid or dust particles from contacting said electric lamp assembly.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said guard means comprises a transparent material for passing light therethrough.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the inside of said housing means carries inwardly extending guide portions for receiving said bulb slide means to position said electric lamp assembly in optical alignment with said lens means.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said bulb socket is carried by a bracket secured to said bulb slide means.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said bulb slide means includes guide means for positioning said bracket means thereon.
 16. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said air chamber portion is formed as an extension of said housing flared outwardly such that the bottom thereof extends outwardly at least as far as the width of said housing.
 17. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said open air chamber portion extending beneath said electric lamp assembly is formed as a plurality of tubes extending downardly from said housing means.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said open air chamber portion extending beneath said electric lamp assembly is formed as a pair of tubes extending dependently from a common chamber depending beneath said housing means.
 19. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said housing means defining an enclosure for an electric lamp assembly includes transparent side portions for emitting light therethrough.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said side portions further include reflector means carried thereby. 